Simple Chinese Pasta with Beef and Pepper Recipe for Dinner

Weeknight dinners demand bold, satisfying meals that come together quickly, and this zesty Chinese pasta with beef and pepper hits every flavor note perfectly.

Tender strips of beef sizzle alongside crisp bell peppers, creating a harmonious dance of textures and tastes.

The sauce delivers a delightful blend of savory and slightly sweet elements that will make your taste buds sing.

Packed with protein and vibrant vegetables, this dish offers a complete meal in one skillet.

Aromatic ginger and garlic infuse deep, complex notes into every bite.

The noodles absorb the rich, umami-packed sauce, ensuring maximum deliciousness in each forkful.

You’ll want to make this recipe again and again for its simplicity and incredible flavor profile.

Why Chinese Beef and Pepper Pasta Works So Well

• Packed with savory beef, aromatic garlic, and sweet bell peppers, this recipe delivers a robust taste profile that satisfies hunger and delights taste buds.
• Master a simple one-pan cooking method that allows you to build layers of flavor, from perfectly browned garlic to caramelized beef and tender peppers, making it an excellent skill-building recipe for home cooks.
• Easily swap bell peppers for your favorite vegetables or adjust spice levels to suit your family's preferences, making this dish adaptable to different palates and dietary needs.

What Goes in Chinese Beef Pasta

• Ground Beef: A protein-rich ingredient that provides a hearty and savory base for the Chinese pasta dish.
• Bell Peppers: Colorful vegetables that add a sweet and crisp texture to the recipe.
• Pasta: The foundation of the dish that absorbs the flavorful sauce and brings everything together.

• Soy Sauce: A classic Asian condiment that adds depth and umami flavor to the beef.
• Garlic: A pungent ingredient that creates a rich, aromatic base for the entire dish.

• Cooking Oil, Pasta Water, Water: Essential liquids that help create moisture and prevent the dish from becoming dry while cooking.
• Salt: A basic seasoning that enhances the overall flavor of the pasta and meat.

Directions for Making Chinese Beef Pasta

Step 1: Prepare Garlic Oil

Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat.

Fry finely chopped garlic until it turns light golden brown.

Watch carefully to prevent burning.

Remove garlic from oil and set aside, keeping the garlic-infused oil in the pan.

Step 2: Brown The Beef

Add ground beef to the garlic-infused oil.

Fry over medium heat until golden and sizzling.

Pour soy sauce over the beef and mix thoroughly.

Cook for a few seconds to blend flavors.

Step 3: Add Colorful Peppers

• Bell peppers (chopped)
• Fried garlic

Stir ingredients together.

Cover pan and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes until peppers soften.

Add water if mixture appears dry.

Step 4: Cook Pasta

Boil pasta in salted water until 80% cooked, maintaining a slight firmness.

Step 5: Combine And Finish

Return beef mixture to heat.

Add semi-cooked pasta and several tablespoons of pasta water.

Stir and cook until pasta is fully done and absorbs all flavors.

Adjust moisture with additional pasta water if needed.

Tips to Enhance Chinese-Style Pasta Dishes

• Monitor garlic closely while frying to achieve a perfect golden-brown color without scorching, which can turn the entire dish bitter.
• Allow ground beef to brown thoroughly and sizzle before adding soy sauce, creating deeper, richer meat taste and caramelized edges.
• Reserve and use pasta water when finishing the dish to help create a silky, glossy sauce that clings perfectly to noodles.
• Cover the pan while cooking bell peppers to steam them slightly, ensuring they soften without losing their vibrant color and slight crunch.
• Adjust sauce thickness by adding pasta water gradually, creating a smooth, well-coated pasta dish that's neither too dry nor too watery.

How to Store and Reheat Beef and Pepper Pasta

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the pasta completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth and maintain texture.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the pasta surface to prevent freezer burn.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish. Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of water to prevent dryness. Cover with a damp paper towel and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of water or extra soy sauce to restore moisture. Stir gently and frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. Cook for 3-5 minutes until heated through.

Pairing Ideas for Chinese Beef Pasta

• Refresh with Crisp Riesling: Light, slightly sweet German white wine cuts through the richness of beef and complements the peppers' subtle heat.
• Complement with Asian Slaw: Tangy cabbage-based side dish adds crunch and balances the savory pasta with bright, fresh flavors.
• Enhance with Pickled Cucumber Salad: Zesty, cool side that provides a refreshing contrast to the warm, meaty main dish and cleanses the palate.
• Pair with Tsingtao Beer: Classic Chinese lager with light, crisp profile that matches the dish's robust flavors and helps cleanse the palate between bites.

Flavor Combos That Work with Chinese Pasta

• Vegetarian Version: Replace ground beef with firm tofu or tempeh, crumbled and seasoned with extra soy sauce for similar texture and protein.
• Gluten-Free Edition: Use gluten-free pasta like rice noodles or quinoa pasta, and substitute regular soy sauce with tamari to maintain authentic Asian flavor profile.
• Spicy Kick Variation: Add red chili flakes or diced jalapeños during beef cooking stage for heat lovers who want an extra warming sensation in their meal.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Swap traditional pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrate content while keeping the rich, savory beef and pepper combination.

FAQs

• Why use garlic-infused oil?

Garlic-infused oil adds a deep, rich flavor to the entire dish. By frying garlic first and removing it, you create a flavorful base that enhances the beef and vegetables without burning the garlic.

• Can I substitute ground beef with another protein?

Yes, you can use ground chicken, turkey, or plant-based ground meat alternatives. Each will change the flavor slightly, but the cooking method remains the same.

• What type of pasta works best for this recipe?

Medium-sized pasta like penne, fusilli, or rotini are ideal. These shapes hold the sauce well and mix perfectly with the beef and peppers. Long noodles like spaghetti can work too, but might be harder to coat evenly.

• How spicy is this dish?

The recipe as written is mild. If you want more heat, add red pepper flakes, sriracha, or chopped fresh chili when cooking the beef. You can control the spice level to your preference.

Chinese Pasta With Beef And Pepper Recipe

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4.7 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Spicy Chinese pasta with beef and pepper delights taste buds with bold flavors and tender meat. Succulent strips of beef and crisp peppers dance together, creating a quick, satisfying meal that brings Asian-inspired comfort to your dinner table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein Base:

• 300 grams (10.5 ounces) ground beef
• 35 finely chopped garlic cloves

Vegetables:

• 2 finely chopped bell peppers

Cooking Ingredients and Carbohydrates:

• 100 grams (3.5 ounces) pasta
• 5 tablespoons oil
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce (non-alcoholic alternative, e.g., naturally brewed or tamarind-based)

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Instructions

1. Warm oil in a saucepan over medium heat (350°F). Sauté minced garlic until it turns a delicate golden hue, carefully monitoring to prevent burning. Extract the garlic, reserving the aromatic oil for subsequent cooking stages.

1. Introduce ground beef into the garlic-infused oil. Sear the meat at medium heat until it develops a rich, caramelized exterior and starts crackling. Drizzle soy sauce over the beef, thoroughly integrating the flavors and allowing them to meld for several seconds.

1. Incorporate chopped bell peppers and previously fried garlic into the beef mixture. Blend ingredients thoroughly. Secure the pan with a lid and simmer for approximately 10 minutes, ensuring peppers become tender. Add a splash of water if the mixture appears dry.

1. Simultaneously, prepare pasta in salted water, cooking until it reaches approximately 80% doneness, maintaining a slight firmness to withstand further cooking.

1. Reactivate heat under the beef mixture. Fold in the partially cooked pasta along with a few tablespoons of pasta water. Continue cooking until pasta absorbs the robust flavors and reaches complete tenderness. Adjust liquid as needed to create a harmonious sauce consistency.

Notes

• Keep a close watch during garlic frying to prevent burning, as it quickly turns from golden to charred.
• Removing fried garlic and keeping the infused oil adds deep, rich flavor to the entire dish without overwhelming garlic bitterness.
• Allow ground beef to develop a golden color and sizzle before adding soy sauce, which helps create deeper umami taste and caramelization.
• Reserved pasta water contains starch that helps create a silky sauce and helps ingredients bind together perfectly.
• Replace beef with firm tofu or plant-based ground meat alternative for a meat-free version that maintains similar texture and protein content.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 780
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg